Amos Lee at the Calvin Theatre on New Year's Eve and on Jay Leno, CBS's Early Show, PBS's Tavis Smiley in January

 Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Amos Lee headlines the Calvin Theatre in Northampton on New Year's Eve, Friday, December 31st at 8PM. Amos will make several high-profile television appearances early in the new year to support his upcoming album Mission Bell, which will be released by Blue Note Records on January 25th. The Philadelphia-based singer and songwriter will appear on NBC’s The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on January 26th, CBS’s The Early Show on February 18th, and on PBS’s Tavis Smiley (airdate TBA). Locally WRSI 93.9 The River is playing a couple of songs from the forthcoming album to great response.

 

Produced by Calexico’s Joey Burns, Mission Bell is Lee’s richest and most fully formed recording to date, displaying an array of emotions unified by his eclectic taste and distinctive vocals. With a remarkable set of guests — including Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam, Priscilla Ahn, Pieta Brown, and James Gadson — and the musical backing of Calexico, the album marks the arrival of Lee as a mature artist who continues to explore his musical and thematic interests.

Lee was recently featured on WXPN’s “Free At Noon” performance at World Café in Philadelphia, which was webcast live by NPR Music. He also headlined WFUV’s 6th Annual Holiday Cheer show and was a featured performer on Levon Helm’s intimate Midnight Ramble concert series in Woodstock, NY. In addition, Lee appeared on CMT’s Artists of the Year special, which honored a host of country music’s top artists, including the Zac Brown Band. The Calvin Theatre show in Northampton, where Amos has many fans who've come out in force to previous appearances at the Iron Horse and Calvin Theatre, promises to be a magical evening while Lee is riding a career high. 

 Lee has released three critically and commercially successful albums on Blue Note Records: his 2005 self-titled debut, 2006’s Supply And Demand, and 2008’s Last Days At The Lodge. His music has been called “anthemic” by The New York Times and “seductive” by Vanity Fair, while the Philadelphia Inquirer has raved about “his compact, well-constructed songs and sensitive delivery that balances jazzy crooning and blue-eyed soul work within classic archetypes.” The Associated Press has praised his “gloriously sexy voice,” while People magazine declared him “one of pop’s best-kept secrets.”

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR MISSION BELL:

“Mission Bell reflects the themes of loss, redemption, and hope and Lee’s talents still ring true on the album: soulful vocals and vivid, narrative-driven lyrics mixing folk, pop, R&B, rock, gospel, blues and country influences. His skills fused with those of Joey Burns and Convertino, spark the perfect synergy on lead single, ‘Windows Are Rolled Down.’” — Billboard

“Lee and producer Joey Burns (Calexico) aren’t afraid to take chances and stretch the limits of Lee’s folky R&B sound…’Hello Again’ showcases his tremendous vocal range against booming trumpets that are reminiscent of the French Quarter.” — Filter

“I’m ready to convert to the church of Amos Lee.” — Bust

“Guy can play a mean guitar, but man, that voice.” — Metroland

Amos Lee plus Mutlu on Friday, December 31^st, New Year’s Eve, 8PM at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton is presented by Iron Horse Entertainment. Tickets, Northampton Box Office 413-586-8686, or buy online IHEG.com